Sony has begun development on the PlayStation 4, with the games giant confirming that work on the console was already underway.

In Sony's year-on-year results of its Networked Products & Services division – which comprises the PlayStation brand and PCs – Sony hinted that it was working on the PlayStation 4 but would not give any more details.

PlayStation 4 plans

"For the home equipment the PS3 still has a product life," said Sony's Masaru Kato.

"But this is a platform business, so for the future platform – when we'll be introducing what product, I cannot discuss – but our development work is already under way, so the costs are incurred there."

Kato also explained that some cost-cutting will happen with the development of the PS4.

Speaking to investors, he said: "It is no longer thinkable to have a huge initial financial investment like that of the PS3."

This makes sense considering the amount of money Sony pumped into the PS3 in its initial development phases.

It was only with the launch of the PS3 Slim that Sony could actually count on making a profit with its next-gen games console.

What?

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Don't try to tell me that some power can corrupt a person You hadn't had enough to know what it's like You're only angry cause you wish you were in my position Now nod your head cause you know that I'm right..alright!

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Don't try to tell me that some power can corrupt a person You hadn't had enough to know what it's like You're only angry cause you wish you were in my position Now nod your head cause you know that I'm right..alright!

I think both consoles (PS3/360) were released too soon, particularly PS3.

We talk of how far behind the Wii is, but if any company won this console war, it's Nintendo. Their subtle marketing strategy to expand the gaming market beyond the core gamer so that the family can train their brain was a proven formula from the get-go.

I can't stand motion control, have only owned a 360 and PS3, and at heart I'm a core gamer - but Sony and Microsoft were quick to jump on the bandwagon with Kinect and Move.

Something tells me two massive industry heavy-hitters like Microsoft and Sony wouldn't just rush out a technology for their respective consoles that wasn't intended for it from the get go. I could be wrong.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither were the concepts, ideas, and marketing of said companies attempts at motion control. "Can't beat 'em, join 'em" and all that!

If it's true that the next gen of consoles are going all out to destroy the 2nd hand gaming market* then I wish all the people that it bothers actually show some solidarity and tell MS/Sony to fuck off by not buying into the next gen. It's never gonna happen of course, there are people who'd be first in line for the next thing either company churns out even if they ran on the white blood cells of children.

* I'm still taking reports of MS having no Media drive and this bullshit with tying game licenses to your PSN network with a pinch of salt at the moment because it seems like commercial suicide (although I doubt it would actually make a dent in sales in reality) but if it does turn out to be the case then I'm definitely out. I've seen what Microsoft thinks is fair pricing for downloading their games. GOW3 was on sale on Xbox Live Games on Demand on their Deal of the Week a fortnight ago for the not at all extortionate price of £44.99.

Fuck. That.

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Acting...Naturaaal

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Obviously I'd need to see it in real life and see how good it actually is, but just looking at it I have some serious doubts. Looks like they have gone for some WiiU/Xbox hybrid and it looks gimmicky. I don't see why you need speakers or a touchpad, especially one as small as that. Plus with the Move sensor built in (more motion control, not a good sign for the next generation) it just means that an extra/replacement controller will cost a small fortune. I liked the lightweight design of the DS and the move towards a brick-type controller is disappointing.

I do think the concave thumb sticks are a good addition though. I was just kinda hoping they would have changed the triggers and the thumb sticks, with everything else being left as it was. Oh well...

If it's a subscription rental service, then definitely count me in, if its rentals you pay per rental? count me out.

Well the dev kit pictures confirm there's a Blu ray drive, so physical media will still exist going into the next gen.

Absolutely, I think it depends on what exactly the streaming is used for - if its a pay per rental thing where you pay say 4 quid to rent a game for 48 hours, screw that, by the time you'v'e got into the game the rental is over. If its a subscription service and they keep the games on the server long term then I'd be happy, but I don't know why but I can see them doing a monthly subscription but with games only on for a short period of time to get you interested and then once you're hooked take it away from you, meaning you have to actually buy the game.

The thing is if Sony went out and made a download/streaming only console there'd be uproar as people love their games shops and a lot don't trust PSN after the big hacking scandal

I wish they'd drop the Dual Shock design, it's a crime against thumbs!

Yup same here, I hope the finished article doesn't look anything like that otherwise the PS4 will be a definite non purchase for me. The Dual Shock joypad is the main reason I decided that I wasn't getting a PS3. It's just a horribly uncomfortable joypad.

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Acting...Naturaaal

Your knowledge of scientific biological transmogrification is only outmatched by your zest for kung-fu treachery!

I wish they'd drop the Dual Shock design, it's a crime against thumbs!

Yup same here, I hope the finished article doesn't look anything like that otherwise the PS4 will be a definite non purchase for me. The Dual Shock joypad is the main reason I decided that I wasn't getting a PS3. It's just a horribly uncomfortable joypad.

They seem to have cramped the pad up more despite it getting bigger going off these pictures.

What I don't get in this day and age is why console manufacturers have to stick to just the one style of pad. For example why not use the original Xbox as a benchmark, make a bigger and smaller pad and make one with symmetrical and one with asymmetrical analogue sticks. If you could buy an official pad afterwards that's better suited it would eradicate this issue.

That said if I'm rewarded with an annoucement on the PS4 being all "Move Based!", "Immersive!", "Out Of This World!" and "Like Nothing You've Ever Seen!" with some PR vid featuring trendy metrosexual looking twenty somethings waving their genitals in front of a TV to control the latest Uncharted game, I'm going to be pissed.